Family of 2 disabled children launch legal challenge against Lancashire County Council

Family of 2 disabled children launch legal challenge against Lancashire County Council

A LEGAL challenge has been launched against Lancashire County Council by the family of two disabled children over funding for its disability respite service.

The family of Logan and Leila Wilding, from Lytham St Annes, say that the council has “failed to listen” to parents, carers and providers over concerns about funding for its county-wide Lancashire Break Time service.

Logan, six, has severe dyspraxia, hyper mobility, weak muscles and joints and difficulties with social communication, while Leila, ten, has mild to moderate deafness, social communication difficulties, suspected autism and Audio Processing Disorder.

Their mum, Miranda Hyman, said: “If it were not for this service, Logan would stay in his bedroom and not go out.

“He does not have any friends and does not socialise outside of attending the activities and outings provided by Lancashire Break Time.

“However, the council’s decision to not increase the funding has left me worried that the funding available will not be sufficient to take on and keep staff with the skills needed to run the service.

“There will be many families in the same position as we are, that rely heavily on this service, and I hope that the council will listen to our concerns and reconsider the cuts to funding. There needs to be a solution that benefits everyone.”

The children attend the Lancashire Break Time service known as Stars which is run by Blackpool Football Club with Break Time funding, three to four days a week during school holidays.

Despite an increase in demand for the service, the council was told in a consultation in March that current funding levels has left it “unable to staff groups safely and provide one-on-one support when needed”.

Funding was reduced to £765,000 – a £2,000 cut – for the past year.

Edwina Grant OBE, executive director for education and children’s services, said: “We are aware of the recent solicitor’s letter, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on that further at this stage.

“As a council we are determined to make improvements to the service and have set out a range of proposals to do this in a fair way that benefits young people.

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